The Quilt Shoppe With Mother~

I love nothing more than going shopping with my Mother~

When I was a little girl we used to go shopping every Saturday. We would hop on the bus and ride the bus to downtown Nashville. We would hit Harvey's, Cain Sloan, Woolworth, and then make a stop at the Ben West Library; it was great! Before we would leave we would either eat at Candy Land, the basement at Harvey's or upstairs in the Iris Room at Cain Sloan. We never really purchased anything, but we loved to look at all the "pretties" and then eat lunch. I loved those Saturdays with my Mother~

So today (Saturday, December 6) wasn't any different when Mother and I went out shopping! I was so excited that she was finally here in my new little town! Our first stop was a great quilt shoppe I love to visit - Needle Me This- they have beautiful fabric and it's a great place to just hang out and be inspired! The people there are so sweet! I frequent this place often and had told the manager, Charie about how much my Mother would love this place... I had told her she was coming to visit and how excited I was. She was very happy to see us and helped Mother around and was happy to help her~ what a dear she is!! This was a great shopping trip! One I will never forget, and every time I'm in the shoppe I will always remember my Mother and the fabulous day we had!!

Giving Thanks for So Much!

This has to be the best Thanksgiving I have had in a very long time! I have so much to be thankful this year.

Such as~ I'm thankful my mother was able to spend Thanksgiving with us! I'm thankful we finally sold our house and I'm thankful we are now all together in our new house! I'm thankful my In-Laws were able to spend Thanksgiving with us! I'm thankful for my new job and new friends. It goes without saying that I'm so thankful our kids are healthy! I'm so thankful that so many are on the way back to healthy; Mother, Karen, and Jaykala! ~ Praise God!! I hope you have a lot to be thankful for this year. Blessings, for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My~

October 31, 2008 - Halloween night~

Unbelievable! Halloween on our street! We made over 500 (no lie) goodie bags for Halloween and now they are all gone! I couldn't believe it - but our street was packed! Cars were lined up all the way up the street - they even had the Police around for crowd control!! They started coming at 5:00! and came until around 8:00. Big ones, little ones and everyone in between.... it was crazy! The weather was great... it had that hint of fall in the air.. it was nice but just chili enough that your costume wasn't too cold or too hot. It was the best Halloween I've ever celebrated~ Wow, look at those scary costumes.. no wait.. those aren't costumes.. those are teenagers... yep, that is even scarier!

September 11, seven years ago~

Seven years ago today our country was attacked. I guess everyone remembers where they were and has their own story to tell. I have one too, but I wont go into all that now....

However, today was just another day... seven years later.... Today was a busy day, Kenton had braces put on and I had to go to class tonight. As I rushed through this day I felt something was missing.. I didn't see any sign of remembrance of this day, seven years ago. Everyone was going about their day as if nothing happened, seven years ago. It made me wonder if anyone stopped to remember those lost in the senseless act of terrorism, seven years ago. And then, there it was an old car with a flag draped over the windshield. It was the only way they could display our American flag; it was their way of saying "we remember, seven years ago".

I love my country. I love that I am an American. I love that there are people who will stand for what they believe in and will guard this country. I thank them and pray for their souls. I pray this war will be over soon and that they can come home to a peaceful America.

From Baby Teeth to Braces~

I miss the Tooth Fairy~ Kenton had one more tooth that just wouldn't come out... so we had to have the dentist pull it. When he got in the car to go home I was half way down when I realized I didn't have his tooth. I was about to turn around when he asked me why I was going back. I quickly told him that he needed his tooth for the Tooth Fairy - and with that he said "really mom... the Tooth Fairy..." now granted Kenton is now 13... but really.. the Tooth Fairy has to come one last time. It's my child's LAST BABY TOOTH! Such a sadness came over me, a sadness like no other. I longed for the day of new baby teeth. The joy I got when that first tooth came through. The joy I got when he smiled that one tooth smile. The joy of teaching how to brush that one tooth... how did he loose those teeth so fast!

Now it's all about braces~ Kenton got his braces on today (9/11/08). I felt a since of melancholy as I watched the dental hygienist put them on. My baby is growing up so fast. He looked so mature in that chair. So ready for braces, so ready to have a perfect smile.

I wonder if the Tooth Fairy wore braces?~

AAAHHHHH..... Labor Day!

Labor Day has always been a pretty funky day for me. It's the end of summer and the beginning of fall (although it's not for several weeks from now...). It also means no more "days off" until the Thanksgiving weekend- which is so long away! It also is the traditional ending of wearing white and white shoes... yes I still believe that's how it should be! You really do look like an idiot wearing white after Labor day!

We didn't do anything special for today. The kids just hung out at home, Ken stayed on the computer (I know.. no surprise there) and I did homework. We didn't rush out to catch any last minute sales, we didn't work on the house, and we didn't squeeze in any last minute pool time. Just a day of leisure! I guess that's how it should be~

It made me feel a little guilty with noting to do today since so many people are being affected by Gustav, the hurricane hitting Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. I stayed up all night watching T.V. waiting to hear the news of it's landfall. I talked to my brother today and he had just gotten out of Morgan City, LA- thank goodness he is fine! It's so weird to think that just 3 years ago we were watching the same news about Katrina and that in 1992 we were hearing about Andrew. My brother was in LA when that hit and he had a very hard time!

More reminiscing~ it was also around Labor Day weekend that we were watching the awful news about Princess Dianna... ok.. no more sad memories...

Another thought about Labor Day weekend... Every Labor Day weekend since I was 10... and that's been a long time ago... I have always watched some part of the Jerry Lewis telethon... I can remember staying up all night to watch it. It was a big deal to stay up all night and watch it! wooohoo... how times have changed!!

ok.. enough about Labor Day... now bring on Fall and all the fun holidays!! Hope you all had a great weekend! and remember- you DON'T wear white after Labor Day!!!

Just ~S*T*U*F*F~

Back to School!! I'm H*A*L*F Way There!!
Aaahhhhhh first day of school! For ME!! Tonight started my first day of classes to complete my degree in Elementary Education. I'm really excited to think that I'm a Jr. this year! I'm half way there!! This semester will be full of projects, lots of writing, and tons of reading and research. It should be interesting to say the least. I'm in a pretty small class so that's pretty good, at least we will all get to know each other. This will be the same group I will be graduating with so I think that's pretty cool. My teachers are pretty good too. All in all I think it's going to be a pretty good year!

Rain, Rain Go Away~
Not really just not so much of it at one time! It has rained non-stop since yesterday. And I don't mean just rain, I mean hard rain all this time! I know we need it- my yard was looking pretty bad, not to mention the flowers and trees; but good grief! slow it down some!! Even the dog didn't want to go out! I'm just praying it doesn't flood the basement...that would be bad! I still have boxes to unpack and it would not be a good thing!! It has cooled things off a bunch! I almost even put on a sweater today.. and you know me... I never think it's cool out... but it did feel good. I guess Fall is just around the corner.

Kenton Fell Down and Broke His Crown!
Poor Kenton, last Sunday while we were at church he was playing around with some of the kids and decided to get on a tricycle and ride it down the hill.... well what he forgot was that he is too BIG for the tirc and lost control and fell all the way down the hill. He is scraped up from his head to his toe... literally!! He has a very bad scrap on his face and ear, on his shoulder, on his elbow, and on his knee. The poor child can hardly walk. I patched him up good with neosporian and bandages and gave him lots of Tylenol. And on top of all that he has a very bad cold... poor thing! All I could think of was this drawing I saw when I was a little girl of Jack and Jill and of Jack falling down the hill... it looked just like Kenton... I guess I should patch his head with brown paper... boys will be boys!!!

Peyton's Playing Soccer!
Tonight was supposed to be Peyton's first night of soccer practice but it got rained out. He was so excited about it this morning. He kept say, "we'll have practice mom, even if it's raining..." but needless to say with tons of rain out practice was called off. He was so disappointed. I can't wait to see him in his uniform! He hasn't wanted to play any sport since he was in kindergarten and I made him play baseball. Can't wait to post pics of him playing!

CuPcaKe ObSEsSiOn~

O.K. enough already!! My name is MaryLee and I'm a Cupcake-A-Holic. There, I said it! I've gone crazy lately making cupcakes. I go to bed at night thinking up new cupcake recipes. I wake up thinking up new cupcake recipes. And now I have to admit that today while in the middle of Sunday School, I had a new cupcake recipe thought... is that a form of lust? I have this notion that I want to start a cupcake business. There is the perfect place right in the middle of downtown and it would be great! I've talked to a few local people about it and they all think it's a great idea.... so what's stopping me you ask- M*O*N*E*Y~ plain and simple... you gotta have some dough to make something out of dough, and in my case, cake batter... sorry bad pun~

Anyway, I spent all day last Friday making cupcakes. I made 5 different kinds. Each better than the next. I tell you it's insanity! Now I'm not talking about the little dinky cupcakes you make for a b-day party, no I'm talking about hunkin' big jumbo cupcakes! Each are YUMMMAZZZING!! I'm trying really hard not to eat them. I've been doing a lot of walking lately so maybe that is helping... hey I'm drinking diet coke with them, doesn't that off set calories?!

So if you think you might like some really good cupcakes email me and I'll ship some to you. They are really fresh and really good! I'll let you know if I ever get the money to open a Cupcake Shoppe but for now, I'll just keep making them at home!

Sweet Cupcake Dreams~

S'mores Cupcake~ tastes just like you were sitting around a campfire!

Mountains of Hope for Children in Need!

Last Friday I ventured out and went to visit Crossnore School. Founded in 1913 by Dr's E.H. and Mary Martin Sloop, The Crossnore School is a private, non-profit children's home and school in the western North Carolina mountains, serving children who, for circumstances beyond their control, can no longer live at home, whether permanently or temporarily. Most residents live at Crossnore because their primary care givers are abusive or have neglected them to the point that their well being is threatened. Residents come from all counties in North Carolina.

While there I had the pleasure of meeting some of the most amazing people. I went to the Administrative office to let them know I was there on the campus and to see if I could get a tour. As luck would have it the lady that gives tours had just come in and I was able to get a private tour!! That's when I met Kama (I think that's how you spell her name). We hopped in the golf cart and rode all over the campus and she told me some of the best stories of all the buildings. We had a great time! She is a hoot and turns out she lives near me! Unfortunately time was up and our tour was over, I could have chatted with her all day! ~ Thanks for a fun tour!

Being the snoop I am I wasn't satisfied with my private tour and had to snoop around on my own. While I was out poking my head around in different buildings I ran across the Weaving Museum. WOW... I was right at home! This building had been on the campus just about as long as the school had. However, it did catch on fire at one time but was quickly rebuilt- which by the way was rebuilt by most of the kids on campus! There in the Weaving Museum is where I met Heather! Man, she was also so very nice and eager to show me around. She began to show me all the weaving looms and tell me the most interesting stories about all the women who used to weave. As she told me these stories rich in history I felt as if the weaving pioneers were right there with us! Just to touch the wood on the machines that the previous weavers had touched was the coolest thing! By the way, they sell the pieces they weave, and let me tell you they are worth every penny!! To say they are beautiful is not enough, they are truly works of art!

Another person I got to meet was the Director of the Child Care Program. Vergie (I'm sure that's not how you spell her name either... ). She was able to show me all around the child care center and introduce me to the sweetest kids I've ever met. They were so happy and having so much fun learning and playing! What a treat!

The campus is simply beautiful! There are many bronze statues of children playing and discovering life. They are so lifelike! I had to take pictures of all of them. Another beautiful building was The Sloop Chapel. It was built in 1957 in honor of Dr. E.H. Sloop the husband of Dr. Mary Martin Sloop. Inside the chapel is a hidden gem, a Fresco by Ben Long entitled Suffer the Little Children. It is breathtaking!

I wanted to stay all day. I could see how there are Miracles in the Mountains at work everyday! What a great day! Thanks to everyone at Crossnore for all the work you do and especially to my new friends! Be sure to check out their website: http://www.crossnoreschool.org/

OpTiCaL illUSiOn?

It's that time of year... time for the carnival to come to town. They roll in sometime in the middle of the night to an empty lot and ~B*A*M~ the next thing you know, there is a lot FULL of rides, attractions, prizes to win, and lots of FOOD! It has always amazed me how they set it all up in the blink of an eye. I have always had some kind of strange attraction to carnivals and fairs. I don't know if its all the colors, lights, loud shouting as you walk past the balloons to pop, or watching all the people in general-- but whatever it is... if there is a carnival or fair.. you can bet I'll be there. So when I saw the first poster go up in town for the carnival I was counting down the days!

Now that I have children the other part of going to the carnival is watching them ride the rides and take in all the hype that goes along with the Big Attraction. They love riding the rides. Peyton especially- he is a "ride chaser" kinda like I am a "storm chaser". The bigger and faster the better. He has always loved riding them. I think the first big ride he rode was when he was 3 years old. He saw those lights on that ferris wheel and he was hooked. Now I'll admit I am a big chicken when it comes to that monster. You wouldn't catch me on that thing for all the caramel apples in town! So that time Ken had to ride with him and it was at that point that Peyton was hooked! Needless to say now that he is almost 12, this year was no different! He had to ride all the rides known to any Carney man! It is great watching him and the joy he gets from all the big wind!

But alas all good things must come to an end... the carnival was over last week and without a blink of an eye... all the rides were packed, all the prizes were tucked away, and all the food was gone. The lot was clear and there was no sign of it ever being in town- how strange~ how DO they do that!!!

Where Did Summer Go?!?

It's crazy how fast this summer has gone by! We have been so busy and unfortunately I've been so busy I haven't been blogging like I want to. OK... so first things first... we got the hot tub up and running~ it has been great! The nights here are so cool and the hot water feels great after a long day of painting... which I have been doing a lot of! I made a trip back to Nashville the later part of July to see mother; get her to a doctor's appointment, get her moved, and try to get some shopping done (which I miss sooo much!).

Haven't Lost My Marbles Yet~
Spruce Pine is known as Gem Country. They just had a huge gem festival here and of course we had to check it out! I have never seen so many beautiful gems. I couldn't resist taking pictures of these beautiful stones and marbles. It was pretty early in the day and the sun reflected their beauty just right!

First Day of School~ Already?!?!
Wow, I can’t believe it! It’s that time of year again, time for another year of school. I can honestly say that I’m not ready. This has been a great summer, one I’ll never forget; mainly because I’ve been able to be home with the boys- that’s something I’ve never been able to do. And it’s been great!!! But it went by too fast- boo hoo!! I wish we could have done more “stuff” around the house or around town together- other than me painting.. but then again I don’t think they would have enjoyed it as much as me…

So on to the new school year~ So the boys are both at the same school and they really like it! They like their teachers and classes – but most of all they LOVE not having to wear uniforms!! I have to say that while I do love the uniforms, it’s nice to see kids in “regular” clothes :o) the boys are getting so big, they hated Ken and me walking them into the building… and especially me taking pictures…. but I couldn’t resist! Here’s to a wonderful school year!!

~H*O*T and BuBbLeY~

It's official! The Hot Tub is up and running!!
Ken and the boys had fun getting the hot tub cleaned out, filled up and up and running! It rained most of the day and they had to let the chemicals calm down so they plan to be in it first thing tomorrow!




We have big plans for this area of our back yard.
Ken's grass - the real kind- is finally growing and it's coming in really nice! We want to put up white lights in the tree and put up tiki toarches! We are also going to get the patio furniture fixed up so we can enjoy dinner outside~ should be fun! More on our back yard adventures to come!

Happy 4th of July!

I just love this holiday! It markes the middle of the summer and it brings out the patriotism in everyone! I love the fan fair everyone gives to this holiday. This has always been a really fun holiday for our family. July 4th was the first official holiday Ken and I celebrated. We have always gotten or been around fireworks. For as long as I can remember we have always made our yearly trek to the fireworks stand and come out with a huge lute... but this year was different. We went to the stand but didn't purchase anything.... it seems that here in NC you can't shoot them in your yard... well heck who would want to with all the trees around us!! So this year we went downtown to watch the local volunteer fire department shoot them off! Before the show began we had a huge downpour of rain! But it was kinda nice because it cooled everything down. Just as it got dark the rain let up and the fireworks began! It was beautiful! They did a great job!

The best part of watching the fireworks was watching the kids faces as the fireworks made their imprint in the dark sky. I am so thankful for my freedom and for this country. I am so thankful to our forefathers that helped make this country what it is today and for those that are serving today to keep it the land of the free! I'm so thankful for my independence. And I'm thankful that I can live in a country where I can worship Jesus Christ! I hope that everyone had a great 4th of July!

It's already been a Month!!

WOW...my how time flies! Really... it's been a month since we moved here and I really don't know where the time has gone. Mostly I've been painting and such, trying to make this house OUR home. I don't particularly like to paint.. but when it's done I love it! I am so tired! Every muscle in my body aches- but that's ok!

I've really enjoyed going around town and exploring! This town is full of great photo opportunities!! I love being surrounded by rolling hills and trees! I feel like I live in a story book. I'm surrounded by rolling hills, trains, and a river! Where else but in the Appalachian Mountains can you find a more beautiful site! I am beginning to love it here- a much slower life! I feel so blessed to be here~ everyone is SO friendly. Everyone one I've run into likes to talk.. and you know me, I don't meet a stranger!

Well I'm off to finish up some more painting. I have a big project in the den waiting for me tomorrow.. I'm going to try my hand at repairing a plaster wall! Should be interesting!

So for now I leave you with this. ~Peace~

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 121 NAS

Finally H*O*M*E~

We made it!! We're finally home! in our new home! We were packed in the car like sardines but we made it... it was a long trip but after many stops along the way we made it! It was so sad to leave our friends, my job, and the kids school but now we can finally be together! Now it's time to get unpacked, start painting, and start decorating!! We have so much to be thankful for. We are so blessed that God has given us the opportunity for a great job, a wonderful place to live and a fabulous house. We are looking forward to meeting our neighbors and making new friends. We are looking forward to going to church tomorrow and making friends there. We are also looking forward to our old friends coming to visit. I'm sure I will have many, many blogs to post... since there isn't much else for me to do... more to come! God bless our new home!

~and two shall become One

Yesterday was a beautiful day. One of the reasons it was so beautiful was the beautiful girl that was the beautiful bride. Brandi and Robert confirmed their love for each other in such a sweet way. I know they are truly meant for each other.

Blessings on your marriage you two!

Thank you for letting me be a part of this beautiful day!

Life is Good~

Things have been so busy lately that I almost forgot to post an update on Mother's G*R*E*A*T news!! We went to the Oncologist last week and things look great, blood work is great, and things are still shrinking!! We also went to the Radiologist and the tumors in her brain are Gone!! He doesn't even want to see her anymore!! She is graduating too!! We have so much to be thankful for!! God IS good ALL the time!!

Owen, you are 1 year old!

I know it sounds so cliche... but it really does seem like yesterday that we were welcoming you here~ on the outside! You are such a sweet, precious baby. I pray you will always stay your fun playful self.

Happy Birthday, Owen!

Graduation Day!

I finally did it!! Accomplished something I have been working on for years... well 30 to be exact! I have finally received my Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education! I have always wanted to finish my degree... and now I'm half way there! I thank God for this blessing of education and for my teachers who helped me achieve this goal.

I also have my Mother to thank for inspiring me to realize my dreams and live them. She is my hero!

I am also thankful to my husband and children for helping me along this journey. And to my friends who were there for me through the blood, sweat, and tears (algebra!) I say thank you as well! Now I'm on to the next step... hopefully it will be at Appalachian State University!

I hope somewhere along the way I will help open a child's mind and inspire him or her to reach their highest potential and live their dreams!

Never stop believing in yourself~

Saying Good Bye~

I don't know if I should be happy or sad. Today I said good bye to a very dear old friend.... our house. That's right our house has finally sold and now it's time to move on to our new house and soon call it home.

This house was our first home. Ken and I got engaged in this house, married, started our family, raised lots of animals, had many friends over for many fun parties, celebrated many happy times. We shared many first in this house; first anniversaries, first baby (and second), first steps, first birthdays, first big snow~. We have 15 years of very happy memories in this house.

When the moving truck pulled away I cried and cried.... for 10 minutes I balled my eyes out... saying good bye to an old friend that I could always count on to be there for me... saying good bye to an old friend I could always find comfort in, saying good bye to the yard my children felt their first blade of grass under their little bare feet, saying good bye to the one place I knew would be waiting for me to hold me and keep me safe.

The one thing that is going to be very hard is saying good bye to great neighbors~ We couldn't have been more blessed to have had great neighbors~ All of them have been wonderful. We had so many happy times with all of them. I will never forget Halloween and the 4th of July! What great memories.

I pray that the new owners have as many fun memories as we did. I pray they will love this house as much as we did.

Now we are moving on to make new memories in our new house... but that is another blog waiting to happen.... more to come~

Trying to Catch Up~

WOW~ I have really got to play catch up!

Where has the time gone! I realize I havent posted in so long. You don't really realize how much you do in a months time (or 3 for that matter). Let me see, where do I begin...

January - We celebrated Kenton's 13th B-day! Hold on.... let me get a hankie! - tear! I can't believe my fist born is 13 years old! 13!! in 13 years from now he will be 26! wow... I'm just going to put that thought in the back of my head! He is getting so big and is becoming such a wonderful big Man!

February - They found 5 more tumors in Mother's brain and she underwent 14 rounds of full brain radiation treatment. She is doing better and hopefully we will have great results the next MRI - scheduled for March 25 - send up prayers!

March - We had our last snow of the season... it wasn't much but hey... it was snow none the less! Peyton was so excited; he got to make a snowman and then Kenton joined in on the fun! I think they did a wonderful job! The eyes are radishes and the nose is a carrot!

Well that about wraps it up for the month of March! I have some very exciting news coming up very soon!! can't wait to share! but for now you will just have to wait~ blessings, marylee

Blessings for a Great New Year!

Happy New Year! 2008~ it IS going to be Great!

I am looking forward to a fresh new start to a new year. So much has happened this past year; it all seems like a blurr. Ken taking on another job, putting our house on the market (which I might add still hasn't sold- since MAY!), Kenton having ear surgery, Mother getting sick, Jakayla getting sick, family members falling out of touch. It's been a very trying year.

But there has been so much to be thankful for too! Owen coming into this world and being healthy! Mother getting great news about the cancer! And both of our kids being healthy!

I know God is good ~ all the time.

Even though this year has had it's ups and downs, I know I do have so much to be thankful for and that I am so blessed! I pray that I will be able to bless others this new year as well.

We had a great Christmas! Mother and George came over Christmas day and we had a blast. This is a pic of the kids teaching her how to play the Wii! Too much fun!

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

Wow.. I never thought I would be living through this phrase.... but this past Sunday Peyton popped Kenton in the eye with an air soft b-b gun. Yep... right in the eye! Just as Kenton took off his eye wear Peyton shot his gun and sure enough it went right towards Kenton's eye. It couldn't have been on his leg or arm... but right in his eye!

He cut his cornea and has lots of swelling behind his eye. So after a trip to the eye doc, and lots of eye drops and TLC, I think he's going to be OK! He thinks the coolest thing is wearing the dark sun glasses. But through all of this, it hasn't stooped him from playing on his X-box!

Peyton was so sorry and now has to do Kenton's chores for a month. Well I guess boys will be boys.